St Mary's Monkseaton # 252 March 2025
Vicar: Rev Nigel Taylor email: vicar@stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk
Curate: Rev Claire Lewis email: ctfairgrieve.lewis@gmail.com
Please note: Nigel and Claire are not available on their day off which is Friday.
Find out more about our upcoming Services here.
If you missed last week's service, or can't make this Sunday, you can catch up online.
Holy Communion: Lent 1
8am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
4.00pm Choral Evensong
Church Window Replacement
There is now information at the back of church regarding the replacement of the church windows.
We need to replace all the windows (except the stained glass ones) for several reasons. The two main reasons are:
- Safety. There is a real risk of the current windows breaking and causing damage or injury.
- Heat. New windows will provide much better insulation as we move towards ‘net zero’.
The total cost is going to be between £75,000 and £85,000 depending on the VAT status of the work.
The PCC have agreed that the work should be funded from reserves, grants and the church community.
Please look at the display and look at the the website:
Please think and pray about whether you are able to help towards the cost.
Perhaps donate towards the cost of a window in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate something.
Each window will cost a minimum of £1000 but, of course, just pay what you feel you can.
There are three ways you can donate.
By cash using the envelopes provided on the white table and post in the wall safe above. If you would like to be acknowledged for your donation please put your name on the envelope
By cheque, made payable to St Mary's PCC with 'Windows' written on the back and then posted into the wall safe.
By using the 'Go Fund' button below.
Please, if you are a tax payer and able, complete the gift aid section on the 'Go Fund page or if giving by cash or cheque complete a gift aid form.
Preparation for Lent
This coming week sees the beginning of Lent, a time for reflecting on our faith and how we might draw closer to God. It is a period of 40 days (not including Sundays) when traditionally people have fasted or given up luxuries such as chocolate or biscuits or doing something positive for family, friends or neighbours and when we engage in deepening our faith through learning. This year there will be an opportunity to engage with 'Reconciliation' through our joint reflective services with St Paul's Whitley Bay and St Peter's Monkseaton. Why not join us to deepen your faith and love of God?
Lent Reflections
Following the success of last years joint Lent reflections with St Paul and St Peters, we have put together another joint series of reflections based on reconciliation. These will be on Thursday evenings and so Bible Study will be postponed during Lent. The series will be concluded with a joint Eucharist at St Paul's Whitley Bay on Saturday 12th April at midday with lunch.
100 Club
March winners:
£50 Ruth Wolf (deceased)
£30 Christopher Pratt
£20 Fiona Jones
Eco Church.
Information about the New Eco Church Survey.
Since 2019, St. Mary’s has used the Eco Church Survey, as a framework, to help guide us in our environmental work. Parts of it will be well known to most of the groups within the church, and this is just to let everyone know, things have got bigger, more ambitious, and updated information will be coming your way.
In February this year, Eco Church have updated the survey. It now reflects the increased urgency and complexity of the climate and biodiversity crisis and the scale of action needed. They have expanded the survey categories to aid churches navigate the issues. It will be very helpful, and I look forward to St. Mary’s engaging with it as we move forward on our eco journey.
Any outstanding environmental updates gratefully received.
Marion Oakes. (Eco rep.)
2025 All New Electoral Roll!
Every six years each parish is required to prepare a new electoral roll. This year there will be no automatic update to the roll. Everyone wishing to be on the Electoral Roll must fill in an application form by the 21st of March 2025.
A notice has been displayed on the board by the entrance and on the notice board outside with the details of the process. Forms are available from the table by the notice board or from the office.
Who can be on the electoral roll?
To be on the electoral roll a person needs to have been baptised, be at least 16 years old and either:
· a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it and resident in the parish.
· a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it, not resident in the parish, but habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.
· a member in good standing of a Church not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and also a member of the Church of England and habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.
It is important that the electoral roll properly reflects the membership of the church. It is the best way to have your say on the governance of St Mary's and allows you to vote on representatives at the APCM. Please fill in a form and put it in the box. If you know someone who needs a form but they can't get here before the deadline please either take one or let Nigel, Claire or Liz Hayesknow and we will make sure one is sent out. Thank you.
OWLS
Our March 14th meeting will be Bishop John Packer speaking about ‘Bishops in the House of Lords’. If you would like to join us to hear what promises to be an interesting talk, just sign up on the list which is on the table in the vestibule at church by Sunday the 9th March.
We meet at 12 noon for a sandwich lunch which is paid for on the day, just £6.50 for sandwiches cake and tea or coffee, cash please. It will be a good event to give OWLS a try if you are new to the Parish, or if you haven’t been to a meeting yet!
We hope to see you.
Beryl Austoni Tel 07808 078894 for more information.
Audio/visual equipment
Following the consultation at the back of church regarding the type of screens we should have at St Mary's, a visit to Holy Saviour Tynemouth has been arranged to view how it might work for us with a projector and single central screen. A visit will then be arranged to see a church with multiple screens. If you are interested and would like to attend please speak to Nigel. The visit is on Tuesday 18th March at 10.30am.
Eco Church.
On Saturday 29th March at 10.00am, we will be showing the film '2040' in church followed by a soup lunch. The film is about the director, Damon Gameau looking for ways to improve environmental issues for the future of his 4 year old daughter with the hope that the his daughter, when 21 years old in the year 2040, will face a hopeful future.
Please sign up at the back of church in order that we know how much soup we will need.
On Saturday 8th March at 6.30pm for 7.00pm in St Mary’s Church Hall
Sue Johnson's daughter is holding a Beetle Drive in support of MIND
Ticket are £10 and include party buffet and drinks or £5 beetle drive only.
Please RSVP to Rachel: 07870481057 or email rachel.johnson17@icloud.com
You can also get more information from Sue on 07817001492
Thank you for all your support!
Thanks
Ron and Eileen thank everyone for their love, prayers, cards and gifts following Ron’s fall 6 weeks ago. They were really appreciated. We’re happy to report that he is making a remarkable recovery but still has some way to go. With our love Ron and Eileen xx.
Saturday 8th March
8.00am -1pm: Diocesan Synod in church (Church closed for meeting)
5.00pm: Marianum
Sunday 9th March: Lent 1
8am: Holy Communion
10am:Holy Communion
4pm: Choral Evensong
6.30pm St Mary's Youth Group
Monday 10th March
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30am Toddlers
4.30pm: Evening Prayer
Tuesday11th March (Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day)
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.00: Craft Group
7.30pm: Church in the Kittiwake
Wednesday 12th March
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.30am: Holy Communion
12.00: Introduction to the Bible.
4.30pm: Evening Prayer
6pm: Choir
Thursday13th March
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30-11am: Pop in Cafe
4.30pm: Evening Prayer
6.30pm: Lent Reflection joint service at St Paul's Whitley Bay
Friday14th March
Office closed.
Saturday 15th March
5pm: Marianum
Sunday16th March: Lent 2
8am: Holy Communion
10am: Holy Communion
4.00pm: Family@Four
6.30pm: St Mary's Youth Group
Prayers
Your Prayers are requested for:
Sophie, Martin Cooper, John Hughes, Suzanne, Iris Allan, Jennifer Stephenson, Janet Minto and Jill.
Rest in Peace
Leonard Skinner
Remembering also those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time:
Letitia Grace Johnson, Leonard Edward Morris, Edith Clark, Bill Reay, Willaim (Bill) Logan, Sally Needham and Stephen John Pettitt
We also pray for all youngsters and leaders who Live in: Garsdale Road
Marriage: For Tom and Jenny whose Banns of Marriage are to be read in church.
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